Keeping Your Feet Healthy With Diabetes

Screen shot 2013-07-09 at 3.27.50 PMDiabetics have long suffered from foot problems. An article from National Diabetes Clearing House talks about the foot problems that most diabetics will encounter at times. Dr Marc Blatstein tells us that a common problem that some people have is nerve damage. As nerves become damaged in your feet, you might not be able to feel things as you did before. If you have a cut or a sore on your foot it becomes unnoticed and if it worsens it could then lead to an infection. Some cases can be so severe that the only way to resolve the issue is amputation. It becomes more than just a minor concern when the magnitude of such a simple cut or sore can be so detrimental to a person. There could also be poor blood flow to the feet as well. If a wound or infection does occur, it becomes increasingly difficult for it to heal due to blood flow being impacted.

In order to prevent your feet from experiencing some of these problems you should do the following, “Wash your feet in warm water every day, look at your feet every day to check for cuts, sores, blisters, redness, calluses, or other problems. If your skin is dry, rub lotion on your feet after you wash and dry them, file corns and calluses gently with an emery board or pumice stone, cut your toenails once a week or when needed, always wear socks or stockings to avoid blisters, and wear shoes that fit well.”

Dr Blatstein says that some diabetic foot problems that you should be cognizant of are ingrown toe nails, athletes foot, hammertoe, blisters, bunion, among others. These occasional and non concerning matters to some can be very harmful to others. As a podiatrist who has worked with patients who suffer from diabetes for many years, the more you care about your feet the better you will be. Make it apart of your everyday Screen shot 2013-08-01 at 5.48.20 PMroutine to inspect your feet, you will be happy you did. Lastly, Marc Blatstein recommends checking out this link that appeared on Diabetes Health TV.